Looking for Help on New ESC/Motor

[Kryptik319]

Been out of the hobby for about 10 years but recently jumped back in so my troubleshooting may be a little rusty. Picked up my son a Granite 4X2 that we've been upgrading together. Started out by upgrading it to 4X4 then the brushed motor promptly went out. Drove his with him for all of 10 minutes before I got sucked back in and picked myself a Notorious off Facebook marketplace. I'll try to format this to make it as easy as possible.

Issue:
ESC indicates LVC (single red blink) after about a 2 second pull. Reset power and issue consistently repeats. LVC is triggered both while driving and while holding the truck with wheels off the ground.

Electronics:
Spektrum 85A ESC
Spektrum 3300KV Brushless Motor
Spektrum 7 Cell 3300 MaH NiMH
Stock Spektrum Servo
Spektrum SLT3 Transmitter and SR315 Receiver

Research after the fact shows these ESCs have been known to have some issues. Already had two packs with IC3 connectors and didn't want to take the time to solder on new connections. Hindsight.

https://www.spektrumrc.com/product/...3300kv-sensorless-motor-combo/SPMXSEMC01.html
https://www.spektrumrc.com/product/8.4v-3300mah-7-cell-smart-nimh-battery-ic3/SPMX33007C3.html
https://www.spektrumrc.com/product/slt3-3-channel-transmitter-with-sr315-receiver/SPMSLT300.html

Other Parts:
Arrma 57T Spur and Slipper Clutch from the 3S Granite
Arrma Aluminum motor mount
12T Pinion

What I've Tried:
Two separate batteries (Both 7cell NiMH 3300MaH Spektrum) - Both confirmed fully charged
Swapped rx and tx from my Notrious
Swapped servo from my Notorious
Checked drivetrain for any binding
Confirmed ESC programming
Factory reset ESC

What I Believe is Happening:
Draw on battery is dropping voltage below ESC LVC and putting it into limp mode

Course of Action:
Is my best bet to go to a 2S LiPo? Any additional troubleshooting I'm missing? ESC DoA?

I was planning on keeping him on NiMH (and brushed for that matter) for the time being until he gets some better control and understands the risk vs reward of breaking and fixing (he's only 5) but I could always go 2S and use his transmitter to lower throttle limit to 50%. I'm familiar with LiPo usage and safety

Thank you to those who have stuck around and read everything, I know it got lengthy. Wanted to get all the information I have out there first thing instead of spending time answering questions. I really just want to get him back up and running so we can bash together again ASAP. I don't trust him running the Noto on 6S quite yet

 

[Tex Koder]

So what ESC is in your Notorious?
Did you swap that into the Granite??

Could just try a 10t pinion as a last, last attempt.

 

[Kryptik319]

Noto is a V4 so it has the BLX185. Could try I suppose, doubt the Spektrum motor in his is rated for 6S though and I don't have any other batteries.

I don't think gearing is an issue but I could try that tomorrow.

 

[Tex Koder]

Noto is a V4 so it has the BLX185. Could try I suppose, doubt the Spektrum motor in his is rated for 6S though and I don't have any other batteries.

I don't think gearing is an issue but I could try that tomorrow.

Okay.
Well, that 185A will only go as low as a 3S Lipo, so won't help you there (if all you have is a 2S)

Yeah, try a lower tooth pinion and see , it's simple and cheap enough to try at least.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Kryptik319]

Do you think it’s worth buying a 2S lipo and trying that? Or is it more likely the ESC is toast?

 

[adamwins]

Been out of the hobby for about 10 years but recently jumped back in so my troubleshooting may be a little rusty. Picked up my son a Granite 4X2 that we've been upgrading together. Started out by upgrading it to 4X4 then the brushed motor promptly went out. Drove his with him for all of 10 minutes before I got sucked back in and picked myself a Notorious off Facebook marketplace. I'll try to format this to make it as easy as possible.

Issue:
ESC indicates LVC (single red blink) after about a 2 second pull. Reset power and issue consistently repeats. LVC is triggered both while driving and while holding the truck with wheels off the ground.

Electronics:
Spektrum 85A ESC
Spektrum 3300KV Brushless Motor
Spektrum 7 Cell 3300 MaH NiMH
Stock Spektrum Servo
Spektrum SLT3 Transmitter and SR315 Receiver

Research after the fact shows these ESCs have been known to have some issues. Already had two packs with IC3 connectors and didn't want to take the time to solder on new connections. Hindsight.

https://www.spektrumrc.com/product/...3300kv-sensorless-motor-combo/SPMXSEMC01.html
https://www.spektrumrc.com/product/8.4v-3300mah-7-cell-smart-nimh-battery-ic3/SPMX33007C3.html
https://www.spektrumrc.com/product/slt3-3-channel-transmitter-with-sr315-receiver/SPMSLT300.html

Other Parts:
Arrma 57T Spur and Slipper Clutch from the 3S Granite
Arrma Aluminum motor mount
12T Pinion

What I've Tried:
Two separate batteries (Both 7cell NiMH 3300MaH Spektrum) - Both confirmed fully charged
Swapped rx and tx from my Notrious
Swapped servo from my Notorious
Checked drivetrain for any binding
Confirmed ESC programming
Factory reset ESC

What I Believe is Happening:
Draw on battery is dropping voltage below ESC LVC and putting it into limp mode

Course of Action:
Is my best bet to go to a 2S LiPo? Any additional troubleshooting I'm missing? ESC DoA?

I was planning on keeping him on NiMH (and brushed for that matter) for the time being until he gets some better control and understands the risk vs reward of breaking and fixing (he's only 5) but I could always go 2S and use his transmitter to lower throttle limit to 50%. I'm familiar with LiPo usage and safety

Thank you to those who have stuck around and read everything, I know it got lengthy. Wanted to get all the information I have out there first thing instead of spending time answering questions. I really just want to get him back up and running so we can bash together again ASAP. I don't trust him running the Noto on 6S quite yet, Helkp

I'm going to say that the battery is likely the issue. The alarms youre getting suggest the battery's voltage is dropping below the safe operating threshold for that ESC and motor. Which is common in NiMH batteries under high loads, they tend to have pretty significant voltage sags which will throw an alarm. As for battery considerations
your battery now is a 7 cell 8.4v 3300mAh (1.2v per cell) a 2s Lipo with same capacity has nominal voltage of 7.4v so its slightly lower which will equal liitle lower top speed and power. However 3s LiPo 11.1v (nominal) will provide what your esc and motor needs but will come with higher temps so changing the gearing to a smaller pinion and adding some heat sinks/fans is your best bet IMO.

Do you think it’s worth buying a 2S lipo and trying that? Or is it more likely the ESC is toast?

If you want to try a 2s in it.. I have a decent quality CODDAR 6000mAh 150c 2s LiPo I bought in March for $70 that I have no use for. I may have used it once or twice in a granite Grom. But you’re welcome to it for $20 shipped.

 

[Kryptik319]

Surely there’s another answer other than going to 3S. Is this an issue that’s more prominent with this ESC or is it something I’ll face with any modern brushless system? I remember running 6-8 cell NiMH on a Velineon system years ago when I was getting started in the hobby with no issues. Granted that was ~15 years ago.

This ESC also lists 5-9 cell NiMH as compatible.

 

[Rocketzx1]

It’s because you’re using a NiMH on lipo setting on the esc, you MUST turn LVC off on the esc when you’re using NiMH or LVC will kick in.

I wouldn’t even bother with NiMH on a 6s machine.

 

[Kryptik319]

It’s because you’re using a NiMH on lipo setting on the esc, you MUST turn LVC off on the esc when you’re using NiMH or LVC will kick in.

I wouldn’t even bother with NiMH on a 6s machine.

ESC is in NiMH mode, first setting in the programming. Confirmed multiple times and even factory reset the ESC and set it again.

I run 6S on my 6S Notorious, the issue is with the Spektrum ESC in my son’s Granite.

 

[Kryptik319]

UPDATE:

Picked up some Zeee 3S to test the battery theory and that seems to have solved the immediate LVC issue as I suspected and others pointed out. Unfortunately I won’t have time to test it further tonight but I ran it about 10 minutes through some grass and on pavement.

Not super excited to have that much power in his hands right away so the tx will stay on 50% throttle limit for a while and I’ll probably turn the punch down too.

Spent more than I expected and have more power than I planned/wanted for him but hopefully at this point we’ll have his rig at a good point where it can be reliable for him and we can get back to running together.

Any suggestions for gearing that I can slow this thing down a bit for him? Thinking I should probably gear more towards low end and turn punch down to tame it.

Side note: I now have more money into his Granite that started life as a 4X2 boost than I do in my 6S Notorious

 

[jkflow]

Yeah, get used to the 'dumping-money-into-it' thing.

If you have a D/R adjust on your controller, just dial it down to adjust the max throttle.

Just don't forget, if you ever re calibrate the ESC (throttle range adjust) all settings must be at 100% and throttle trim at mid (0).